Apparatus for connecting the free ends of a twisted wire joint to an elongate member

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for the connection of free ends of wire extending from a twisted wire joint to an elongate member are disclosed wherein the free ends are first bent back in opposite directions and on opposite sides of the twisted wire joint and thereafter the bent free ends of the wire, but not the twisted joint, are wound in opposite directions around the elongate member.

United States Patent Vanderfaeillie 1 1 Mar. 27, 1973 1541 APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING THE 1,847,155 3 1932 Williams ..140/36 FREE ENDS OF A TWISTED WIRE 1,877,076 9 1932 Stetson ..140 119 O T To AN L NGATE M M 3,388,725 6/1968 Richardson ..140/119 218,741 8/1879 Higgins ..l40/1 19 [75] Inventor: Willy Vanderfaeillie, Heestert,

Belgium FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assignee: N. V. Bekaert S.A., Zwevegen, 167,737 5/1956 Australia ..140/24 Belgium [22] Filed, July 29 1971 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson AttorneyBrenner, OBrien & Guay [21] App1.No.: 167,249

, [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data A method and apparatus for the connection of free July 31, 1970 France ..7028373 ends of W extending from a twisted Wire joint to an elongate member are disclosed wherein the free ends [52] US. Cl ..140/115, 140/24 r fir bent back in opp i ir i ns and on 0p- [51] Int. Cl. ..B21f 27/14, B2lf 33/02 posite sides of the twisted wire jo nt and thereafter the [58] Field of Search ..140/24, 36, 107, 115, 119, bent free ends of the wire, but not the twisted joint, 140/122, 3 are wound in opposite directions around the elongate member. [56] References Cited 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,259,378 3/1918 Doring ..140/24 sum 20F 3 PATENTEDM-mmu APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING THE FREE ENDS OF A TWISTED WIRE JOINT TO AN ELONGA'IE MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the connection of free ends of a twisted wire joint to an elongate member, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for the connection of a bar, wire or other elongate member to two free ends of wire from a twisted wire joint so as, for example, to complete the mesh of wire netting or to close a connecting ring formed from a length of wire twisted close to its ends.

2. Description of the Prior Art Generally, in order to effect the fastening of free ends of wire, the ends are wound helically around an elongate member using pliers. It has also previously been proposed with wire netting to wind the twisted joint and even a part of the mesh in advance of the twisted joint onto an elongate member. However, the force required in this case is great because of the two lengths of twisted wire which are involved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a method of connecting free ends of wire extending from a twisted wire joint to an elongate member, which method comprises the steps of bending back the two free ends in opposite directions and on either side of the twisted joint and thereafter winding the free ends of wire, but not the twisted joint, in opposite directions around the elongate member.

In accordance with the present invention apparatus is provided for bending back the free ends of the twisted wire joint which comprises a guide member arranged to receive the twisted wire joint with the free ends of wire projecting beyond the guide member, means for holding the joint in the guide member, a shaping tool the face of which has a recess therein of a length less than the maximum distance between the free ends of wire, and means for urging the shaping tool towards the guide member to thereby bend back the free ends of wire on either side of the guide member.

In accordance with the present invention apparatus is also provided for winding the free ends of a twisted wire joint in opposite directions around an elongate member, which apparatus comprises a fixed support, a movable support mounted upon the fixed support, two axially spaced semi-annular members rotatably mounted in each of the supports and so shaped and arranged that when the movable support closes upon the fixed support two axially spaced annular members are formed with an axial passage therethrough suitable to receive an elongate member and radial passages serving to receive the free ends of the twisted wire joint, and means for rotating the two rotatable members in opposite directions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for connecting the free ends of wire forming a twisted joint to an elongate member, in which method a relatively small amount of force is required to complete the mesh of wire netting or to close a connecting ring formed from a twisted wire joint.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wire netting panel having an elongate member wherein the ends of the twisted joints of meshes adjacent to the elongate member are wound helically and in opposite directions onto the elongate member, without the twisted joints being so wound.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing at I, II, and III respectively, the members to be joined, an intermediate stage before joining and with the joining completed,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the first stage of the method of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus being shown in a withdrawn position,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus being shown in an operative position,

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing apparatus of the present invention carrying out the second stage of the method of the present invention, the apparatus being shown in an inactive or rest position,

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus being shown in an operative position,

FIG 7 is an enlarged plan view of the lower section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a machine comprising several of the units shown in FIG. 5, arranged in parallel for simultaneously fastening several meshes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows at I the members to be joined to each other. These comprise, respectively, a bar, a wire or other elongate member E to which is to be secured a mesh M of wire netting by the free end portions 1 and 2 resulting from a twisted joint 3. On the finished mesh, the 'two end portions 1 and 2 form a generally open V as an extension of the twisted joint 3.

The first phase of the method of the present invention consists of bending rearwardly the two portions 1 and 2 at l and 2, on either side of the twisted joint 3 (see sketch II).

The second phase of the method of the present invention consists of helically winding the end portions 1' and 2" about member E (see sketch III).

The first phase of the methodof the present invention can be carried out conveniently with the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a guide member 4 fixed in a frame 5. Twisted joint 3 is placed in guide member 4, with the free ends 1 and 2 projecting forwardly. A lever 6 fitted with a projection 7, e.g. the head of a screw, is pivotted at 8 in a bearing 9 fixed to the frame 5. This lever 6, by means its projection 7, holds the twisted joint 3 in the guide member 4. A piston rod 10 operated by a cylinder or other appropriate drive (not shown) has at one of its ends a shaping tool 11 slidably mounted in slides 12. This tool has in its face a recess 13 the length of which is less than the maximum distance between the free ends 1, 2 of the twisted joint 3.

When the cylinder is operated shaping tool 11 presses against the ends 1 and 2 of the wires and bends them in the direction of arrow f (see FIG. 3). The edges 14 of the tool 11 bear upon the ends 1 and 2 and these ends, under the action of the pressure exerted by the piston bend around rounded portions 15, 16 provided on the guide member 4.

The means for moving the shaping tool 11 towards the guide member 4 may be manual or power operated.

Thus, a lever system may be provided or a piston and cylinder or a jack may be employed.

The free ends of the wires are thus bent generally into the shape of an anchor at 1, 2 on either side of twisted joint 3. The bent ends then can be freed and disengaged together with the twisted joint 3 after raising the lever 6 in order to prepare to proceed with the second phase of the method of the present invention. This second phase comprises the step of helically winding each of the free ends 1 and 2 at 1 and 2 (see III,

FIG. 1) aroundthe elongate member E. For this purpose, ends 1, 2 and twisted joint 3 are inserted into the apparatus of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

This apparatus comprises a fixed support 17 and a support 18 which swings about a pivot 19. Two lower toothed semi-annular members 20, 21 are mounted in the fixed support 17, whilst the two upper toothed semi-annular members 22, 23 are mounted in the swingable support 18.

When swin'gable support 18 is lowered onto the support 17, this set of semi-annular members forms two complete toothed annular members comprising respectively members 20, 22 and 21, 23 (see FIG. 6).

Each semi-annular member has a recess 24 on its radial surface on the side opposite to the pivot 19. Thus, when the upper members 22, 23 bear on lower members 20, 21 they provide a space formed by the recesses 24 on the side opposite to pivot 19 and on the same side as the latter and they are supported upon one another. This space permits the insertion of thefree ends I and 2 of the wire of the twisted joint 3.

The front end of the swingable support 18 terminates in the form of a fork in which is located a lever 25 pivoted at 26. This lever 25 terminates in a catch 27 which engages around a bar 28 fixed to the fixed support 17 to provide for the locking of support 18 onto support 17. The lever 25 can swing slightly about pivot 26, so as to permit the easy unlocking of the two supports 17 and 18.

The two rings comprising respectively the members 20, 22 and 21, 23 are spaced from one another by a guide member 29 forming at the same time a bearing for the lower members, the other bearing being formed by part 17 of support 17. This guide member 29 receives the twisted joint 3.

In the central part of the semi-annular members and the parts 17 of the support 17 there are provided respectively semi-circular grooves 30, 31 for the passage of elongate member E..ln addition, notches 32 are disposed-in the members for positioning the free ends 1" and 2 of the wire.

The toothed members are driven in pairs, respectively, by the pinions 33 and 34 which in turn are driven separately by a motor (not shown) in the directions indicated by the respective arrows) and f.

Alternatively, in order to employ the same drive, the members can be provided with bevel teeth at 45 and be driven by a single bevel gear at 45", for example, placed between these rings.

The apparatus of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5-7 operates as follows:

With the swingable support 18 raised (see FIG. 5) the mesh M is placed between blocks 35 in such a way that twisted joint 3 extends into the guide member 29. The free ends 1, 2 are placed in front of member 29 and rested in the recesses 24 of the toothed members.

The wire E is then placed in the semicircular grooves 30, 31 to the right of bent ends I, 2" and support 18 is lowered. Each toothed member is driven by its respective pinion 33 and 34.

The two rings are driven in opposite directions. For example, if the ring formed from the two members 20, 22 is driven in the direction of arrow 1 while the ring formed by the members 21, 23 is driven in the direction of arrow j, then the free end 1.' first passes underv member E whilst the free end '2 passes over member E. After several turns, a connection as shown in FIG. 1 III is obtained.

FIG. 8 shows several units of apparatus of the type shown in FIGS. 5-7, arranged in alignment to form a machine which is adapted to simultaneously wind a plurality of free ends 1 and 2 of twisted joints 3. The various meshes can be those of wire netting. A common shaft with several pinions 33 may be driven by a motor (not shown) while another shaft with several pinions 34 is driven in the opposite direction. The operation of the machine shown in FIG 8 is identical to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

In carrying out the method of the present invention it is to be noted that a relatively small force is needed to wind the free ends of wire since the twisted joints are not involved in the fastening operation.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many modifications, variations and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for winding free ends of a twisted wire joint in opposite directions around an elongate member which comprises a fixed support,

a movable support mounted upon said fixed support,

two axially spaced semi-annular members rotatably mounted in each of said supports and so shaped and arranged that when said movable support closes upon said fixed support two axially spaced annular members are formed with an axial passage I therethrough suitable to receive an elongate member and radial passages serving to receive the free ends of the twisted wire joint, and

means for rotating said two annular members in opposite directions.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1 in which said semi-annular members are toothed and are arranged to be rotated respectively in pairs in opposite direction by pinions.

of its ends a catch which, when the movable support is closed onto the fixed support engages in a member fixed into the fixed support for locking the two supports. 

1. Apparatus for winding free ends of a twisted wire joint in opposite directions around an elongate member which comprises a fixed support, a movable support mounted upon said fixed support, two axially spaced semi-annular members rotatably mounted in each of said supports and so shaped and arranged that when said movable support closes upon said fixed support two axially spaced annular members are formed with an axial passage therethrough suitable to receive an elongate member and radial passages serving to receive the free ends of the twisted wire joint, and means for rotating said two annular members in opposite directions.
 2. The invention as defined by claim 1 in which said semi-annular members are toothed and are arranged to be rotated respectively in pairs in opposite direction by pinions.
 3. The invention as defined by claim 1 in which said axial passage for said elongate member is a semicircular groove made in each semi-annular member.
 4. The invention as defined by claim 1 having a lever fixed to the movable support, said lever having at one of its ends a catch which, when the movable support is closed onto the fixed support engages in a member fixed into the fixed support for locking the two supports. 